Topeka Community Matters December 2021

Topeka Presbyterian Manor

Hope for Christmas DECEMBER 2021

Consider meaningful ways of gift giving this holiday season Christmas celebrations have included the exchange of gifts for hundreds of years, although the tradition of holiday gift giving has changed a great deal through the centuries.

The birth of the Christ began to be celebrated in December in the early 300s and historians believe this is when gift giving became part of the holiday. The practice was connected to the Three Wise Men who gave the first Christmas gifts to the baby Jesus: gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Early modern Europeans had a tradition of wassailing, in which lower-class citizens would visit the homes of gentry to ask for handouts. During the

Gifts – continued on page 2

Editor’s note: In a nod to our roots in the Presbyterian Church, Greg Spring, chaplain at Wichita Presbyterian Manor, brings our devotion this month.

People around the world celebrate Christmas with family and friends, parties and gifts, decorations and songs. All of these things are wonderful.

However, have we overlooked the baby? We find that the story of Christmas is all about a baby.

We discover that the Shepherds in the fields “…hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.” Luke 2:16 The Magi traveled a great distance with significant gifts because of a baby. Even King Herod, though motivated by jealousy, appeared concerned about the baby. He told the wise men “…Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me…” Matthew 2:8 Why would a baby stir such evil actions in Herod? What moved the angels in heaven to rejoice over the birth of a baby? How could a baby bring hope to a sinful world?

The emphasis is not only about who the baby would grow-up to

Hope – continued on page 4 Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at TopekaPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.

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Gifts – continued from page 1 Victorian period, gift giving shifted to children. This is when the story of Santa Claus became widespread.

Today, it can sometimes feel as though the commercial aspect of Christmas overwhelms the religious celebration. If you’re looking to simplify your gift giving this year, consider a couple of alternative ways to express your affection for your friends and family.

Homemade gifts An informal poll of our residents and staff found that many favorite gifts were not purchased in a store but were instead made with love.

If you enjoy crafts, a homemade gift may be a delight for you to make — and a special remembrance for the person who receives it. DIY gift experts recommend sticking with a craft you feel comfortable with and starting well in advance so you’re not rushing to finish before the holidays.

Gifts of charity Do your friends and relatives complain about having too much stuff? Another way to honor a gift recipient is to make a donation in their name.

If your gift recipient is active in

their church, crazy about their alma mater or a committed volunteer to a nonprofit organization, then choosing an appropriate vehicle for your gift couldn’t be easier.

If you have to think a little harder about it, you might donate to a cause important to your loved one. What are their interests and background?

If they grew up with horses, an equine rescue might be a good choice. If they worked in education, perhaps they would appreciate a donation to a scholarship fund.

Whatever your gift-giving strategy this holiday season, we hope you feel blessed as you bless others. u

One treasures a tissue cover that her 5-year-old grandson decorated.

“It doesn’t match any décor in my home, but I don’t care,” she said.

Others treasure a cozy, homemade blanket or a collage of family photos.

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Community Matters 785-272-6510 ◆ Fax: 785-272-0496 4712 S.W. Sixth Ave. Topeka, KS 66606-2284 TopekaPresbyterianManor.org

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | December 2021

is published monthly for residents and friends of Topeka Presbyterian Manor

by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

To submit or suggest articles: dloftin@pmma.org Christie Patrick, executive director Danica Loftin, marketing director

OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

Assignment form makes wishes clear With the end of the year rapidly approaching, it’s a great time to check one more thing off your list — make sure your wishes are respected and your family is protected by completing our Assignment of Amounts Due Resident Form (or reviewing your current Assignment form to make sure it is still correct). If you pass away while a resident of a PMMA® Community, this form will permit you to assign all refunds due to you to the persons specified in your form.

Completing the Assignment form is simple, and if you pass away while a resident of the Community, it can save your family significant time, money and frustration when receiving a refund of any amounts due to you from your PMMA Community. In other words, it can simplify the refund process and avoid the time and cost of estate administration.

your refund passes pursuant to your estate plan). You may designate the portion of your refund payable to each of them.

Some things to think about: • Who should receive my refund — certain named individuals, charities, or my will or trust?

• If I have more than one beneficiary, should they receive equal shares of my refund or should I designate different amounts/percentages among them?

• Do I want to designate a successor beneficiary to receive the amount originally allocated to a beneficiary who predeceases me?

Absent a valid Assignment form, the payment of your refund may be delayed until an estate is opened or

other legal proceedings are completed designating who is legally entitled to request the refund and receive payment. Unfortunately, that happens all-to-frequently and we want to help our residents and their families avoid that unpleasant (and sometimes expensive and time consuming) experience.

This is just a summary of how this important document works. We’ll be glad to provide you with the Assignment form to review and complete, and of course we encourage you to get any input you may desire from your family or other advisors.

To obtain an Assignment form or talk with someone about an Assignment form, please contact the Marketing Director or Accounting Assistant at your community. u

This form works like a “beneficiary designation” in that it is effective upon your passing and permits you to designate who will receive all amounts due to you from your PMMA Community (for example, any refunds of your entrance fee deposit or monthly fees). Your Assignment form is revocable and can be changed at any time, so you are not locked if your circumstances change.

Your beneficiaries may include individuals, charities, or others (including a will or trust so that

Topeka Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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Hope – continued from page 1 be thirty years later. The significant point concerns the identity of the baby at His birth.

This baby was Emmanuel, God with us, the Prince of Peace, God in the flesh. Joseph learned from the beginning, why this baby was born in such a miraculous event.

The Angel communicated that Joseph “…give (the baby) the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:21

disgust and some in only a seasonal greeting for the holiday. This baby is the cure for what ails this sinful world today.

Jesus is the only thing that makes this holiday Christmas. The sin in the hearts of all humanity brings despair to the world. The message

Today, over 2,000 years later, people are still talking about the baby named Jesus. Some in worship, some in faith, some in

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of the baby gives each of us the way to find forgiveness for our sin, something that we cannot do on our own. This truly is the greatest Christmas gift. With no doubt this baby gives each of us the opportunity for hope this Christmas season. u